Assistive Technology

Wireless RERC researchers will be featured at the 2016 International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) in San Diego, March 21-26, 2016.  The papers/presentations include:

August 2015 - There are several steps to prepare your mobile device in case of an emergency. One of the most basic is making sure there are a set of emergency contacts easily accessible on your device. This means ensuring that your contacts are saved to the device and to the SIM card.  Various apps are also available for an array of functions such as first aid information, emergency shelter locations, and geographical emergency alerts. It is also always a good idea to have power backup strategies in case a situation where the power goes out.

Access and Evacu8, Ltd are working together to develop a picture based app to guide people with disabilities in, out, and around the interior of buildings. As a result of a two year consultation with people with disabilities, businesses and fire and rescue services, Access and Evacu8 decided to collaborate on developing this project. The app will also function as an aid for the emergency egress of both people with and those without disabilities.

Throughout the summer of 2015, the AT&T Corporate Accessibility Technology Office and the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC) conducted workshops for people with disabilities, caregivers, and professionals on how to use accessibility features found on smartphones and tablets.  Workshops focused on accessibility features helpful for people who use hearing aids, people who use text and video services, people who have communication difficulties, people who have difficulty seeing, people with cognitive disabilities, or sensory disabilities, p

June 2015 - Video game equipment, software, and related services are now required by the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA) to be accessible to and usable by users with disabilities. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is permitted to provide waivers to the accessibility requirements only when the equipment is designed primarily for purposes other than communication. Unlike the some other consoles and online game play services, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) asked the FCC to extend a waiver that expires on October 8, 2015.